• PNB officers at BIA had found a passenger arriving from the UAE with contraband fags among his belongings

By Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana

A large stock of contraband cigarettes worth of Rs.630,000, which had been smuggled into the country from Dubai as chocolates was seized by the police at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) last evening. 

Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) officials stationed at the BIA on suspicion searched a passenger arriving from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and found the contraband fags among his belongings.   

The suspect was carrying a large stock of confectionary items including imported chocolates but the sleuths were surprised to find packs of cigarettes inside the boxes of sweets instead of its labeled goods.   

About 9, 000 sticks of an imported brand of cigarettes ‘Manchester’, which the sale or is prohibited in Sri Lanka were recovered from the seized goods. The authorities are conducting inquiries.